Evaluation of Effectiveness of Cell Phone Technology as Community Based Intervention to Improve Exclusive Breast Feeding (BFC)

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government.
Read our disclaimer for details.

In a hospital-based CRCT, cell phone lactational counseling starting in the third trimester of pregnancy to 24 weeks after delivery will improve the prevalence of EBF by 7.5 % (7.5% increase in EBF by retraining in BFHI alone in both groups from baseline and a additional 7.5% improvement in intervention group as compared to the control) compared with women with from hospitals with only retraining BFHI.

Secondary hypotheses As compared to women from hospitals receiving only retraining in BFHI, those with additional cell phone lactational counseling will experience the following

Increase in the percentage of EBF(breast milk and no other foods or milk based liquids) at 24 weeks after delivery,

Increase in the mean duration of any breastfeeding,

Increase in the percentage with TIBF,

Reduction in use of pre lacteal feeds

Reduction in percentage of infants being bottle fed(any liquid or semi-solid food from a bottle with nipple/teat) any time before or at 24 weeks

Increase in the percentage of infants at 26 weeks after delivery who receive TICF,

Increase in growth velocity (weight, length and head circumference)

Reduction in the number hospitalizations or mortality in the mother-infant dyad till 26 weeks after delivery

Increase in adherence to visit schedules

Greater ratio of effectiveness as compared to costs incurred for cell phone counseling.

Condition or disease

Intervention/treatment

Malnutrition in PregnancyOther Disorders of Breast and Lactation Associated With Childbirth

The existing staff of the hospitals will be provided training in IYCF by BPNI. They will be encouraged to set up their own systems to continue counseling during the ante natal period, at delivery and during the immunization visits. The participants will be asked to come for the same schedule of visits as in the intervention group where their data will be collected.

Behavioral: Lactational Counseling by Cell phone

The approach to promoting TIBF, EBF and TICF will be through cell phone counseling in addition to counseling in the hospitals during scheduled ante natal visits. Mother in the intervention group (beneficiaries) would be provided handsets and included in a subsidized calling plan.

Other Names:

Cell Phone Counseling

Lactational Counseling

Experimental: Lactation Counseling by Cell Phone

The approach to promoting TIBF, EBF and TICF will be through cell phone counseling in addition to counseling in the hospitals during scheduled ante natal visits. Mother in the intervention group (beneficiaries) would be provided handsets and included in a subsidized calling plan.

Behavioral: Lactational Counseling by Cell phone

The approach to promoting TIBF, EBF and TICF will be through cell phone counseling in addition to counseling in the hospitals during scheduled ante natal visits. Mother in the intervention group (beneficiaries) would be provided handsets and included in a subsidized calling plan.

Changes in the percentage of women exclusively breastfeeding (breast milk and no other foods or milk based liquids) their infants at 24 weeks. [ Time Frame: 26th week after delivery ]

Measurement: Maternal recall of infant feeding practices over last 24 hrs will be elicited with a structured questionnaire at 24 weeks infant age. The infant receiving only breastmilk and no supplemental liquids or solid foods other than vitamins, minerals supplements or medicines in last 24 hrs will be considered to be EBF.

Secondary Outcome Measures
:

Growth through 6 months of age - weight, length and head circumference gains between birth and each immunization visit (at 6, 10 and 14 weeks), at 24 weeks and at 26 weeks for growth velocity. [ Time Frame: 26th week after Delivery ]

Unclothed weight will be measured using digital electric scales to the nearest 1g. Supine length will be measured using a infantometer to the nearest 0.5 cm. Occipito-frontal head circumference will be measured using a non-stretchable tape; mean of three measurements will be taken. Training will be provided for all measurement techniques and performance will be assessed at regular intervals during the study. Scales and infantometers will be calibrated regularly against standards at all sites.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 45 Years (Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Mother's registered at the antenatal clinic at 32-36 weeks gestation and planning to deliver in the same hospital and willing to follow up at the same hospital till 26 weeks infant age.